Aston Villa have confirmed the signing of midfielder
Michael Bradley on loan until the end of the season having offloaded Stephen Ireland to Newcastle on a similar deal.

Michael Bradley has joined Aston Villa on loan (Pic: Action Images)

Stephen Ireland has joined Newcastle on loan (Pic: Action Images)

Villa confirmed Bradley had passed a medical on Monday and would be joining on loan from Borussia Monchengladbach, with a permanent deal possible at the end of the campaign.

Commenting on his decision to join Villa, the 23-year-old USA international said: ‘I am really excited to be joining Villa. I am proud and thrilled and can’t wait to get going now.

‘Everyone can see that Villa is a big club, a fantastic club, with tradition and great supporters. Over the past few years Villa have made big strides and are trying to challenge at the very top of the Premier League. I am excited to be part of that and I am excited to be here.

‘I want to play at the highest level and test myself in the biggest of games. Whether it’s on Saturday against Fulham at Villa Park or the week after, I am excited to be here and ready to get going.’

Hours after confirming the signing of Bradley, Villa also confirmed Ireland had been loaned out to Newcastle for the remainder of the season.

Reports initially claimed the deal had fallen through on Monday after Ireland apparently failed a medical. However, the deal did in fact go through, with a statement on Newcastle’s official website confirming the news.

Magpies manager Alan Pardew said: ‘Stephen has shown over the past few seasons that he’s a real top player so we’re really pleased to have got him until the end of the season.